After losing two offensive linemen over the past week, the Cleveland Browns decided they needed to add some depth at the position and they did just that Thursday by bringing in a former first-round draft pick .
The Browns have signed Germain Ifedi, the team announced. Ifedi has been in the NFL since 2016, when the Seattle Seahawks used the 31st overall pick in the draft on him. Although Ifedi was a regular starter for the Seahawks during his four years with the team, he failed to crack the starting lineup in 2023.
Ifedi spent last season with the Buffalo Bills, but did not appear in any games. The one big thing Ifedi brings is that he is versatile. During his career, he played as both a guard and a blocker. Of his 83 career starts, 59 of them have come at right tackle and 24 of them have come at right guard.
In total, the 29-year-old has played 102 games over eight seasons.
The Browns probably felt like they needed to add depth to the offensive line after losing two players over the past week. First, they traded offensive tackle Leroy Watson to the Tennessee Titans in a deal that fell on April 12. The Browns were also hit with a surprise retirement when offensive tackle Justin Murray called it quits. Murray was placed on the reserve/retired list on Wednesday, which left room for Ifedi to sign.
Although the Browns added Ifedi, it likely won’t have a huge impact on their plans for the 2024 NFL Draft. One of the Browns’ needs is offensive tackle, and that doesn’t change even with the signing of Ifedi.